February 28, 2006: On February 25th, the 5,000 members of Local 200 elected all seven delegates and two alternates from the Buban/Connell Strong Contracts, Good Pensions Slate, handing a defeat to the slate heavily backed by the Hoffa Campaign and International VP Fred Gegare.

“In a record turn out for a delegate election, the members have sent a strong message,” said Local 200 Secretary Treasuer Tim Buban. They want reform at the national union in Washington. We intend to fight for all members at this year’s Teamster Convention.” Gegare went all out to win the election in Wisconsin’s largest Teamster local, but his Teamsters 4 Teamsters Slate got beat by a 60-40% margin.

In violation of the election Rules, Gegare mailed out a joint council newspaper to all Local 200 members featuring a big attack on TDU, with lies about the Central States Pension Fund. The members of Local 200 opted to elect delegates in support of Teamster reform and Tom Leedham.